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Health and Care of the Hoof

Health and Care of the Hoof. Lameness. Third most important cause of economic loss to the dairy industry first is mastitis second is reproduction Loss exceeds $25 per cow ($25,000 for 1,000 cow-dairy) decreased production impaired reproduction increased risk of culling.

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Health and Care of the Hoof

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  1. Health and Care of the Hoof

  2. Lameness • Third most important cause of economic loss to the dairy industry • first is mastitis • second is reproduction • Loss exceeds $25 per cow ($25,000 for 1,000 cow-dairy) • decreased production • impaired reproduction • increased risk of culling

  3. Structure of the Hoof • Any problem affecting the hoof will compromise the ability of the animal to move and stand still comfortably • External anatomy • Coronary band • Separates the leg and the hoof itself • Wall and sole of hoof • Sole is concave and increases in thickness as it approaches the heel • Bulb • Hoof has two digits

  4. Structure of the Hoof • Internal anatomy • Coronary cushion is composed of elastic tissue • Vasculature supplying blood to the hoof runs through this area • Laminae and papillae are arranged in folds that act as shock absorbers • Digital cushion and bulb comprise the heel • Lamellae are ridges on inside wall of hoof • Fibers run between this and coffin bone (P3), attaching the hoof to the skeletal system

  5. Infections of the Hoof • Increased susceptibility if cows are kept in wet, muddy areas • Two most common infectious diseases: • Hairy heelwart • Foot-rot

  6. Infections of the Hoof • Hairy heelwart • Highly contagious • Characterized by strawberry-colored growth between the digits of the hoof • Hair grows from wart • Cause is unknown • Spirochete bacterium? • Vaccine effectiveness?? • When bringing in new animals use an incoming treatment program • Parlor sprays or footbaths • Requires at least two weeks • Isolate prior to mixing new animals with the herd

  7. Fig 38-1. Hairy heel wart is a common problem in expansion herds (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  8. Fig 38-2. Recent surveys have suggested that over half of all lame cows were afflicted with hairy heel wart (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  9. Fig 38-3. Hooves with hairy heel wart develop characteristic finger-like projections (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  10. Footbaths

  11. Fig 38-4. Topical hoof treatments can be conveniently applied with a sprayer (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  12. Figure 38-5. Direct application of topical treatments is easily accomplished in the milking parlor (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  13. Infections of the Hoof • Foot rot • Reddening and swelling of skin above hoof, between toes, or in the bulb of heel • Lameness • Eventually develops pus discharge, foul odor • Contagious, infectious disease caused by Bacterioides nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum • Other organisms may be involved • Spread from cow to cow by walking on contaminated areas • Infected cows shed organisms into environment • Isolate new animals upon arrival, trim hooves, walk through foot bath, keep barns clean and DRY

  14. Treatment • Antibiotics • local and systemic • Footbaths • drying agents • 5% copper sulfate • 3% formalin • Clean and dress • Amputation

  15. Footbaths

  16. Figure 38-6. An empty foot bath showing the correct sizing and layout (Courtesy of Howard Tyler)

  17. Fig 38-7. A variety of treatments can be topically applied to hooves via hoof baths (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  18. Fig 38-8. Copper sulfate is often used in footbaths to reduce the risk of hoof infections (Courtesy of John Smith)

  19. Fig 38-9. Treated hooves should be properly bandaged to protect from excessive pathogen exposure (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  20. Laminitis • Inflammation of laminae and papillae in the hoof • Acute, subacute, chronic • 60-90% of all cows affected • small % at any time • Cows with more structurally sound hooves have decreased hoof problems • Ideal hoof angle is about 45 degrees • Lowly heritable • Management factors contribute to incidence of laminitis • Walking surfaces, excessive time standing, trauma

  21. Feeding-induced Acute Laminitis • Rumen acidosis kills rumen microbes • Endotoxins released • Absorbed endotoxins stimulate histamine • Histamine affects microvasulature in corium of hoof • overgrowth of wall and sole • swelling of laminae and papillae • softer horn reaches surface • white or yellowish lines • hoof growth 1/8 inch per month

  22. Hoof Trimming • Produce a balanced claw • Removal of horny tissue from sole • re-establish proper shape of hoof • Trimming stimulates growth of new, healthy tissue • Extends longevity • one full lactation on average

  23. Fig 38-15. Hoof overgrowth is a common problem that can be corrected by hoof trimming (Courtesy of Nathan Klein)

  24. Fig 38-11. Hoof examination can be conducted in simple chutes by hoisting the rear leg after properly tying up the hock (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  25. Fig 38-12. A close-up of the leg restraint method to permit hoof examination of standing cows (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  26. Fig 38-13. A tilt table allows access to all hooves simultaneously (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  27. Fig 38-14. The goal of hoof trimming is to reshape and rebalance the hoof (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

  28. Comfort Issues • Excessive time on concrete • Exacerbated by wet or rough concrete • wet conditions soften hoof wall and sole • creates abnormal wear patterns • increased risk of injury • P3 may separate from wall and sole

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